Review

So, who here knew that there was currently a global vote going on to determine the ďNew 7 Wonders of the World"? In all honesty I was pretty ambivalent when I first found about it. Leaving aside the fact that I donít really trust a majority vote to determine the 7 new cultural site that best represent our planet, it also seems more than a little bit forced: fundamentally people know what they consider to be the true wonders of the world already, so ďformalising" it is really little more than a PR gimmick, as well as being a godawful waste of time and money. Then I had a thought. On January 1, 2007, how about 6 architectural wonders get announced, with the surprise 7th wonder of the modern world being none other than Shane MacGowan, frontman of iconic Irish band, The Pogues. OK, so at first hearing it sounds a little far-fetched. But letís look at some of the manís qualifications.

1. Heís absolutely synonymous with modern Irish music. U2 may be better known, and Bob Geldof may be a better stereotype of the pissed of Irishman railing against the world, but The Pogues have contained more elements of Irish folk music in their albums over the years than any other band with a comparable level of success.

2. While he may not be as old as the Pyramids of Giza, those Easter Island statues or the Colosseum, heís in a similar condition. Heís got very few teeth, has been drinking since age 5, when his aunt made a deal with him whereby he then wouldnít worship the devil (the boat may have sailed on that one, although such allegations remain unsubstantiated).

3. In spite of this he retains a certain grandeur, and heís certainly one of the great modern anti-icons. In an era when appearance and packaging has regrettably become ever more important in popular music, heís the last man standing fighting for the right to look terrible, have what could politely be described as an occasionally tuneless voice, and behave shockingly.

4. The guy, to all intents and purposes, simply is the stereotype of Ireland. Ask someone what they think when they hear ďIreland", and if you donít hear ďalcohol" within 5 seconds then youíve probably found someone who got confused with Iceland or something.

Youíll notice that this is allegedly a review of an album by The Pogues, meaning that in some of your eyes I may have missed the point in talking about Shane MacGowan. While that may seem like a valid argument, the fact is that MacGowan is inseparable from his band, just as his band are inseparable from Ireland (which is ironic, as he was in fact born in England). Rum, Sodomy and The Lash is widely regarded as being the bandís best work, with If I Should Fall From Grace With God being the only other album by the band that even comes close. The first crucial thing to note about the album is the quality of MacGowanís songwriting on it. Although 6 out of the 12 songs are either written by contemporary artists or taken from traditional Irish music, songs such as the frenzied The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn feature the band at their very best, bringing the smoke-filled atmosphere of the Irish pubs of the past straight out of your speakers. Like many of the other highlights on the album, the music provides a perfect counterpart to MacGowanís near-snarled lyrics, with all sorts of fiddles making the choruses eminently danceable. While the opening track sees The Pogues in fighting mood, however, it would be completely wrong to say that it epitomises the album. A Pair of Brown Eyes is comfortably one of the most famous songs that the band have ever made, and sees MacGowan crooning in a way that is more reminiscent of Tom Waits than anyone else. While it may be stretching the point to call MacGowan the Irish equivalent of Bob Dylan, not to mention the fact that it breaks the first commandment of sputnikmusic, ďThou shalt not call anyone the new Bob Dylan", itís a comparison that often gets made, and listening to songs such as this and Dirty Old Town itís not overly hard to see why, although Dylanís music tends not to be used in pub sing-alongs.

When MacGowan does take a break from lead vocals, it comes not so much as a surprise as a reminder that the late Kirsty MacColl, most famous for her singing on Fairtyale Of New York was an exceptionally fine singer in her own right. Iím A Man You Donít Meet Every Day is an outstanding example of this, even if the lyrics, including ďSo be easy and free when you're drinking with me, I'm a man you don't meet every day" take the central theme of the bandís music to a level that would perhaps verge on parody if it didnít work so exceptionally well. In spite of the fact that MacGowan can often sound so gruff, what differentiates this album from the rest of their back catalogue is the fact that their music here can be genuinely quite touching for a lot of the time, contrary to the popular image of them. Indeed, on Dirty Old Town this nostalgic atmosphere becomes elevated to new heights, with the simple chorus bringing remarkable melancholy into the centre of a quite remarkable album.

With Elvis Costello on production duties for Rum, Sodomy and The Lash, it was inevitable that there were going to be punk influences running as a central theme to the music found here. On the version of traditional song Jesse James, the constant string section provides a perfect setting for the hoarse rendition of the story of the Irish bandit shot in the back after a life of crime. With MacGowan stepping away from the microphone again, the song is loaned further impetus, as a younger man condemns ďthose dirty little cowards" for killing the noble Jesse James. Although itís always tempting to portray Irish culture as being perpetually occupied with the troubles that have blighted the country, it really is quite challenging to read the combination of the bandís version of the song combined with Costelloís production as not serving as some sort of commentary.

Billyís Bones and The Gentleman Soldier both fall into the category of The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn with the second of these featuring MacGowan singing in at least three different personas, including one that is presumably meant to be a middle-aged woman (and believe me, that is something you want to hear). Billyís Bones is more of a straightforward romp with the bandís punk/folk leanings being very firmly, and quite undeniably, on display. Like several of the songs on the album MacGowanís lyrics somehow manage the trick of being near indecipherable, and yet perfectly conveying the message that heís trying to get across. Not an achievement that many people can pull off, and certainly not one that can normally done while conveying the same sense of wilful exuberance. The albumís final track, The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, however, is utterly different. The most obvious comparison is with the 13 minute ending to Highway 61 Revisited, Desolation Row, and thereís really no higher praise that can be offered except to say that the comparison is valid. More so than any other song on the album, itís pretty much entirely carried by MacGowan, expounding on the utter futility of war, particularly the infamous battle at Gallipoli in the First World War. While he never had the biggest range, or the best technical voice, in terms of bitter frustration there are few vocal performances that better the 8 minute epic album-closer.

Having thought about it, it really isnít such a hare-brained idea to make Mr. MacGowan one of the 7 new wonders of the world. I outlined some of the key reasons earlier, but the most crucial reason can be found in this album. With the exception of the atrocious instrumental, Wild Cats of Kilkenny, there are few, if any, flaws that can be pointed to with Rum, Sodomy and The Lash. More varied than many people give it (and the band) credit for, and yet containing the wit and nostalgia that The Pogues are renowned for, itís no exaggeration to say that itís one of the great albums ever to come out of the British Isles.

Very nice review, Med. The Pogues were a great great band at the beginning and the middle, and I pretty much like everything they did when Shane was still in the group. I really like traditional music when mixed with rock n roll the way The Pogues used to do it, and Los Lobos, as well.

MacGowen may have to grow some teeth back if he wants to be a "seventh wonder of the world", though. :pThis Message Edited On 03.18.06

I beleive that this is one of the most overated albums that I have ever listened to. The opening track, and the vicious 'Wild Cats' are probably the only tracks that I wind up listening to. I prefer 'Hells Ditch' over this, and it's starting to bother me because this album is brilliant according to others.

I don't specifically care for this album. Which is surprising considering If I Should Fall From Grace With God may be my favorite album.

To me, the production is weak. The sound seems to lack something, something that Grace with God didn't. I don't believe there are nearly as many well crafted songs either. The versatility seems much more limited.

Other than what I previously stated, MacGowan (who I'm quite fond of) doesn't have what he does on their next album. His vocals in "The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn" annoy me, as well as the writing.

The only tracks that I like are "A Pistol For Paddy Garcia", "Sally Maclennane" and "Dirty Old Town", and then there are a few that I slightly like. This Message Edited On 03.19.06

When MacGowan does take a break from lead vocals, it comes not so much as a surprise as a reminder that the late Kirsty MacColl, most famous for her singing on Fairtyale Of New York was an exceptionally fine singer in her own right. Iím A Man You Donít Meet Every Day is an outstanding example of this

It's not sung by Kirtsy MacColl. It's sung by the bassist, Cait o'Riordan (who later married the producer and became Cait Costello).

You bastard, I was 3/4 of a way of writing a review for this. Halfway through reading yours, I realised I gave it the same score, raised many of the exact same points you already made and even compared the lyrics as similar to Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. Except of course, there are so many more facts here then I ever knew about :upset: